THE EDITOR, Sir:
FOLLOWING THE recent reports on Jamaican teachers I feel obliged to give some valuable information. Firstly, Jamaican teachers should avoid agencies that treated us badly in 2001. The agencies are paid huge sums of money and will discourage you from working for the school. I have been teaching for seven years - a total of three in United Kingdom. For Jamaican teachers who are here and those thinking of coming, it is vital that you read and become aware of short-cut routes to qualification.
As a diploma trained teacher, your diploma is only 120 credits short of a degree. Usually it would take you two years part-time, however, if you are with a school and you enjoy it then you can do your degree and training in one year. If you already have a degree then sometimes your school fails to tell you but you can get QTS in 3 months. QTS is the national standard that all teachers need to have if you are teaching in Britain. You don't need to get it straight away, but it helps to get it out of the way first. Once you have that then you can teach anywhere in Britain and the world.
British education is different. Their standards are not what we are used to in Jamaica. In Jamaica we push our kids to do well, over here if you do that then you might run into trouble with some parents. Students here often do open-book exams with less challenging questions and less opportunity to write in essay format. The aims of the lesson are fairly simple and are designed to meet the massive low-ability students in the system.
It is not that Jamaican teachers can't manage but be warned: a lot of behavioural problems exist. Some parents are not supportive, and students are not used to being disciplined by a race they think is inferior. The key tool is to be firm, they don't have to like you. Have effective classroom control, the schools love to see that. Just remember that the system has its problems but you have to stay ahead of it.
Teachers from Jamaica have made significant contributions to the British system, but remember Britain remains a very racist society. Systems are in place designed not to promote you and outside of London can be very intolerant to Blacks and Indians. It is vital that you know these things before taking a flight for a job. Here is a useful web site: www.lonoco.co.uk/www.homeoffice.co.uk/ and you should also know how to contact the Jamaican High Commission in London.
I am, etc.,
KEITH RUSSELL
suferer@hotmail.com
London, United Kingdom
Via Go-Jamaica
